As a player and now a manager Morecambe legend Jim Bentley has been continually thwarted by the Reds.

The 35-year-old was left disappointed after the Boxing Day show as his side made it six games without a win and are falling down the League Two table after topping it in October.

He said: "I don’t think we deserved to lose and I am frustrated. We played at a higher tempo after the break and we caused them problems and, after we equalised, we just needed a lucky break and we didn’t get it and that’s what happens when you are low on confidence.

"We chose the wrong option too many times and it has cost us.

"Then they scored with a wonder strike and that knocks your confidence as well.

"We had decent chances but didn’t always make the right decisions in key areas.

"But we have got to keep the belief as it’s the same team as the start of the season.

"We are not having the rub of the green but perhaps we used it all up when we went top in October.

"We all need to stick together though as we all want what’s right for the football club and hopefully we will get a result and confidence will come flooding back."